FORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has expressed outrage over the death of former House of Representatives member, Hon. Abba Anas Adamu, who was reportedly abducted by bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on May 3, 2026, and died in captivity nine days later on May 12 despite efforts by his family to secure his release.
Atiku, in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the incident as another grim reminder of what he called the worsening collapse of security under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“His death is yet another grim reminder of the worsening collapse of security under the Tinubu administration,” the former vice-president stated.
He said the horrifying death of a former federal lawmaker in the hands of criminals was not merely a personal tragedy but “a damning indictment of a government that has failed in its most sacred constitutional duty: the protection of lives and property.”
According to Atiku, Nigeria is currently under siege, while the Tinubu administration appears “either overwhelmed, indifferent, or dangerously incompetent” in confronting the country’s growing insecurity challenges.
“Let us be brutally honest: Nigeria is under siege, and the Tinubu administration appears either overwhelmed, indifferent, or dangerously incompetent in the face of this national emergency,” he said.
He questioned what hope remained for ordinary Nigerians if a former member of the National Assembly could be abducted on one of the country’s most strategic highways and die in captivity.
“When a former member of the National Assembly can be abducted on one of the country’s most strategic highways and die in captivity, what hope remains for the ordinary Nigerian who lacks visibility, influence, or protection?” he asked.
The former vice-president argued that the situation had gone beyond isolated incidents and had become a disturbing national pattern.
“This is no longer about isolated incidents. It is now a horrifying pattern. Nigerians are being kidnapped from highways, farms, communities, even their homes, while the government continues to issue sterile statements and recycled assurances that bear no resemblance to the lived reality of our people,” he said.
Atiku further lamented that insecurity had evolved from a crisis into what he described as “a cruel national routine” under the present administration.
“Citizens now travel with prayers instead of protection. Families sleep with one eye open. Businesses are shutting down, farmers are abandoning their land, and entire communities are being surrendered to criminals,” he added.
He maintained that any government unable to secure its highways could not genuinely claim to govern.
“A government that cannot secure its highways cannot claim to govern. A government that watches citizens get hunted like prey has failed the most elementary test of leadership,” Atiku declared.
He also described the continued attacks along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor and surrounding routes as particularly tragic despite repeated assurances by government, huge security budgets, and official claims of progress.
“It is particularly tragic that the Abuja-Kaduna corridor and surrounding routes have remained notorious theatres of terror despite repeated promises, security budgets running into trillions, and endless propaganda about progress,” he stated.
The former vice-president demanded answers from the Federal Government on its security strategy and questioned the lack of urgency and accountability in addressing insecurity.
“Nigerians deserve answers. What exactly is the security strategy of this administration? Where is the urgency? Where is the accountability? How many more deaths must be recorded before this government realises that press releases do not defeat bandits?” he queried.
According to him, “No amount of political spin can deodorise this failure. A nation where former lawmakers die in captivity while criminals operate with audacity is a nation in distress.”
“At this point, what Nigerians need is not another hollow condolence message. They need decisive leadership, coherent action, and measurable results,” he added.
Atiku extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, the people of Jigawa State, and Nigerians affected by worsening insecurity across the country.
He also urged the Federal Government to treat the nation’s security challenges as the emergency they truly represent.